Gorilla trekking is an outdoor activity where tourists are allowed to see mountain gorillas for one hour after purchasing a gorilla permit at $1500 per person. In Rwanda gorilla trekking is the leading tourist attraction bring a good number of tourists hence securing good revenues to Rwanda the land of hills.
This activity is carried out in volcanoes national park a 2 hours’ drive from Kigali. Once interested in this activity, you have to book 6months before the final day since the permits easily get finished. There is a limited number of permits so you need to book in advance.
The best time to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda is during the months of June, July, August, September and December. This is because there are less rains and the parks are drier, making it simple to hike and see the gorillas. Even taking photos with in the bamboo becomes easier.
The permit offers you one hour with the mountain gorillas in a group of 8 people. In case you are threatened by the price look at it in this point of view that you are contributing to the conservation of mountain gorillas and as a form of thank you, you will be rewarded with an hour in the midst observing and enjoying their company.
The activity is regulated by allowing few people to visit them per day, only 8 people are allowed to track on habituated gorilla family per day. Therefor to ensure you get best experience from arranging your trip to seeing gorillas, its more advisable to deal with us who know all procedures and guidelines. You just bring yourself to enjoy this amazing activity.
On the day of your trek, expect to leave your comfortable bed early enough, am move to the briefing point by 7:30am. After briefing, tourists will be allocated different tracking routes, each 8 tourists. Head to the forest accompanied by guides and rangers as you begin you search for gorillas.
In the forest, you may see monkey species, butterfly species, mammals and so much more. Sometimes the forest is challenging and a good level of fitness will be required. At the end of the day, expect to be muddy and sweaty.
Once you see the gorillas, its okay to take photos with your camera or iPhone but avoid flash or else the gorillas might charge. You will spend between 40 minutes and 1 hour in company of these gentle giants. It will be such a life changing experience.
You may also relax off this activity be taking a walk to the Twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo in the afternoon located in the village between Musanze and Uganda Border of Cyanika in the northern province of Rwanda. A hike to the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo is an amazing experience for any traveler on a Rwanda tour.
The nature walk to visit these beautiful lakes will be perfect for you. The trail will start in Musanze town, taking you down to Mukwangwa River where you will walk through the rural setting as you learn about the day-to-day lifestyle of Rwandans as you visit the lake Ruhondo.
While in the park you can not the opportunity to trek golden monkeys. Golden monkeys are a rare species of monkeys that is endangered. Golden monkey tracking is less strenuous than gorilla trekking since monkeys feed around the lower slopes of the mountain where they can be easily be trekked. It can be done alongside Gorilla trekking and it’s cheaper than gorilla tracking, costing USD 100 to buy the permit.
There are two habituated families of golden monkeys in Volcanoes national park and this has helped overcome the shyness of these golden monkeys allowing the daily visits by visitors and tourists. Seeing these endangered species active jumping from one tree to another is so rewarding. It is still a morning activity that will require you waking up very early take breakfast then head to the head offices for proper trekking guidelines.
In the afternoon, you can engage and participate in some of the cultural activities by paying a visit to the communities around the park. You get to learn the culture, foods, music and drama of The Rwandese people.
You can visit IbyI’wacu cultural village and learn how to prepare local meals, how traditional marriage in Rwanda and local beer, learn the traditional medicine and end with the cultural entertainment. Visiting this cultural village after your gorilla trek in Volcanoes national park is too entertaining as you learn and participate in the cultural traditions of Rwanda.
If time allows take part in the visit to the tomb of Dian Fossey early morning. Dian Fossey arrived in 1967 and carried out research about mountain gorillas for about two decades until she was murdered by poachers in 1985. She was buried near her Favorite gorilla called Digit.
When you visit her grave, you will still see Digit’s tomb and other graves of gorillas that were killed. The hike to and from Dian Fossey’s tomb takes about 6hours. You will learn about her life, her research and the legacy she left behind.
Once done with volcanoes, you will set off to Kigali and if time allows, you will visit the outstanding sites in and around Kigali before your flight.
Climb Mount Kigali the most interesting hill in Kigali and tallest. one needs to get to the starting point in Nyamirambo. Getting to the summit rewards tourists with the best views of the entire city and is an excellent spot for group photos.
Visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial one of the top 5 most visited sites in Rwanda. The remains of many of the fallen were buried here. The memorial centre is a place of reflection and a constant reminder to current and future generations about the evils of discrimination.
Take a Tour the main city Museums: Like any other capital, Kigali has a rich history. Many amazing things were done by people who lived in the city before. Their works are recorded and kept in museums around the city so that they can inspire and motivate future generations.
The museums to visit in Kigali include the State House Museum, Kandt House Museum, Rwanda Art Museum and many more. At this point in time, you will wind up you tour as you head to Kigali international airport for your flight back home.
